CNN
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Donald Trump’s choice of Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon is in jeopardy amid questions from some key Republican senators about whether he is qualified for the job.
The pressure is forcing the president-elect’s team to maneuver behind the scenes to avoid a Republican revolt that upsets his second Cabinet pick, while also preparing for defense in case Mr. Hegseth staggers. Other names for the chief have also begun to surface.
No Republican has said they will not support Mr. Hegseth, but even some of Mr. Trump’s closest Republican senators, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, have questioned whether Mr. Hegseth can survive the tightrope to confirmation. This sends an ominous signal to the incoming White House.
Hegseth would need to limit defections to three Republican senators, assuming all Democrats vote against him, but it is unclear whether more than three senators will support Hegseth. It is said that
“He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this is going to be difficult,” Graham, a longtime military veteran and South Carolina Republican, said Tuesday. Hegseth denies any wrongdoing, but has come under intense scrutiny amid a series of allegations of misconduct, including an allegation of sexual assault in 2017. Not even done.
A senior Trump transition official told CNN, “He has not been candid with the staff of the transition team, the president-elect, and the vice president-elect,” making it difficult to nominate Hegseth as of Tuesday night. He pointed out that it was falling into. The source called Wednesday, when Hegseth was scheduled to be interviewed on Fox after an appearance by Hegseth’s mother in the morning, “absolutely critical.”
Also on Wednesday, Hegseth is scheduled to meet with Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican and veteran, whose opinions are expected to be influential.
Some Hill Republicans have been informally monitoring potential replacement candidates, including Mr. Ernst, according to people familiar with the conversations.
Mr. Trump’s allies involved in the transition process have been drawing up a list of alternative candidates in recent days in case Mr. Hegseth’s path to confirmation appears doomed, sources have said. Multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Ernst and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are also among the names being considered.
Two people close to the Florida governor told CNN that DeSantis, who served in the Navy as a JAG officer, has expressed interest in becoming defense secretary if offered the position. His name was on Trump’s initial list of candidates for defense secretary, and the president-elect and DeSantis have been discussing the Florida governor who could lead the Pentagon, the people said. CNN has reached out to DeSantis’ representatives for comment.
Although a number of Republican senators told reporters this week that they had not heard about the allegations in private conversations with Mr. Hegseth, other Republican senators and senior aides denied the allegations regarding Mr. Hegseth. They are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of coverage.
Roger Wicker, the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN that he expects a whistleblower report outlining Hegseth’s alleged misconduct from his time running the veterans organization. He said he is doing so. The New Yorker detailed the allegations in a report this week.
“I’m sure we’ll see,” the Mississippi Republican told CNN. The New Yorker did not name the employee who compiled the whistleblower report, and CNN has not independently reviewed the report. Other reports have emerged regarding Mr. Hegseth’s conduct while working for Fox News.
“There are serious concerns that further accusations from the Fox News era will emerge,” a transition source told CNN.
Hegseth and his attorney remained defiant Wednesday morning.
“I’m doing this for the combatants, not the warmongers,” Hegseth posted on X. “The left is afraid of disruptors and changemakers. They’re afraid of @realDonaldTrump and me. That’s why they fill it with fake anonymous sources and BS articles. They don’t want the truth. Our warriors will never back down, and neither will I.”
“We intend to address these concerns head-on,” said Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, adding that the candidate “has no intention of withdrawing.”
“All of the allegations underlying his removal are false and easily rebuttable with facts,” Parlatore added.
Those involved in the Trump transition planning at the Pentagon began considering other options after the first allegations about Hegseth surfaced, largely motivated by Matt’s withdrawal from Trump’s attorney general nomination.・There was concern that he might face the same “mathematical problems” as Gates. last month.
The Trump transition team was blindsided by sexual assault allegations against Hegseth in 2017, and was blindsided again after related police reports surfaced. The patience of many in the Trump administration is wearing thin as an avalanche of media reports emerge about Mr. Hegseth’s alleged past violations.
And while the Trump campaign carefully staged Hegseth’s first few days on the Hill, trying to build positive momentum in what one Senate Republican aide described as a “warp-speed coalition-building operation,” Republicans Senators continue to express doubts. surface.
Hegseth, a former conservative commentator, has spent the past few days meeting with many of President Trump’s closest allies, including some who appeared on Hegseth’s show during his time at Fox News. are.
Some Trump advisers say selecting a senator to fill the slot would reduce future contentious nomination battles and allow the president-elect’s team to focus on the confirmation process for key law enforcement and intelligence roles. That’s what I think.
Mr. Ernst is widely seen as willing to take on the role, and most importantly, it is confirmed, the people said. She recently spent several days at Mar-a-Lago discussing Trump’s Cabinet nominees and DOGE-related plans, according to social media posts.
Other Trump supporters are considering Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty, a fourth person familiar with the matter said.
CNN has reached out to representatives for Ernst and Hagerty.
However, a source close to Mr. Trump and Mr. Hegseth dismissed the idea that anyone else was being seriously considered for the position or that any formal list of possible replacements had been drawn up.
Leading Senate Republicans recently said they believe Mr. Hegseth should undergo an FBI background check and confirmation hearing before voting yes, but that comment followed a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department on Tuesday. This coincided with the period of government transition when the agreement was announced. Free up the government review process.
Still, it’s unclear how many of President Trump’s nominees to lead various government agencies and departments will be submitted to the FBI for background checks.
Next year’s Senate is so close that senators like Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Sen.-elect John Curtis of Utah, The focus will be on more moderate establishment Republican voices.
“As I’ve said many times, I believe we need an FBI background check to evaluate the allegations,” Collins told CNN on Tuesday. He added that he needed to attend the meeting. Mr. Collins has not yet met Mr. Hegseth.
The fact that the allegations against Hegseth revolve around issues of sexual assault and women in combat roles, for which Republicans have led reform, suggests that his nomination may be doomed. It only increases anxiety.
Commenting on Mr. Hegseth’s selection, Mr. Graham said: “Leadership comes from the top, and we want to make sure every young woman who joins the military feels welcomed and respected.”
Republicans are closely watching Ernst, who, as the first female veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, has expressed concern about Hegseth’s previous comments that women should not serve in combat roles. .
Ernst previously said he would like to “have a serious conversation” about the role of women in combat.
Hegseth told reporters Tuesday whether she thinks women should participate in combat. His answer: “I think they’re already in combat.”
But senior transition sources stressed how important the meeting between Hegseth and Ernst was. Ernst, a survivor of emotional and physical abuse by her ex-husband and rape by a college boyfriend, has spoken publicly about her work to combat military sexual assault.
“Even if she’s uncomfortable with Pete and Pete doesn’t answer her questions about women in the military or sexual assault, and she’s a survivor, if she walks out of a meeting in support of Pete.” If he doesn’t, there will be five or six Republican senators who oppose his nomination,” the source said.
And Graham is not alone in the Senate in acknowledging the mounting allegations against Hegseth.
“Some of the new things that have come to light in the last 12 to 14 hours are things that Trump needs to address,” said Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis, another key Trump ally. ” he said. North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said the allegations were “of course” and “concerning.” Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said he believed it was “reasonable” and “fair” to question Hegseth about his alleged intoxication at a work event.
“The president … has to have the ability to make decisions about who he wants as his advisors. But the Senate also has a constitutional role,” Lankford said.
Sen. Bill Cassidy said the allegations “must be addressed” and stressed the importance of a thorough vetting process for President Trump’s cabinet appointments. The Louisiana Republican added, “A lot of people are going through tough times in their lives.”
As South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said, many Senate Republicans are willing to give Hegseth the “benefit of the doubt” while their main questions will be about his Pentagon reform plans. He said it would be.
“He denies any wrongdoing. My main concern is what kind of cultural change we see at the Department of Defense,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, adding that Hegseth He added that no charges had been filed against him.
“President Trump … has the right to choose who leads the Department of Defense, and I think Pete Hegseth is in a pretty strong position right now,” he added.
This article has been updated with additional reporting.
CNN’s Jake Tapper, Caitlan Collins, Kristen Holmes, Sarah Murray, Danya Gaynor, Morgan Rimmer, Ali Main, Ted Barrett and Haley Talbot contributed.
